Digital control meets relay

Weidmüller and PPC are demonstrating the EEBUS Relay Converter (ERC), a solution for control systems compliant with Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) and Section 9 of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), at the intersection of digital EEBUS and analog relay communication.

Weidmüller and Power Plus Communications AG are presenting the EEBUS Relay Converter (ERC) at E-World. This jointly developed product translates digital EEBUS control signals into analog relay switching commands. This enables even non-digital systems to be controlled by a smart meter gateway (SMGWplus) in accordance with the requirements of Section 14a of the EnWG and Section 9 of the EEG.

Even in a digital smart grid, there are still analog systems that require control via relay switching inputs. Therefore, an efficient rollout of smart metering systems requires relay technology in addition to digital control via EEBUS. This ensures compliance with the requirements of Section 14a of the EnWG and Section 9 of the EEG, thereby increasing grid flexibility.

The FNN (German Association for Network and Distribution Technology) currently recommends digital interfaces for control applications – however, in practice, many existing devices still lack an EEBUS interface. With the EEBUS Relay Converter, Weidmüller and PPC present a product that fills this gap.

The ERC receives control commands from the distribution network operator via the PPC SMGWplus and transforms EEBUS into analog switching signals for four output relays (S1, S2, W3, W4). These relays can be used for both step control (100 percent, 60 percent, 30 percent, 0 percent) of generation plants and individual contact control for producers and consumers. Firmware updates can be performed via a local direct connection or remotely. Depending on customer preference, either Weidmüller's firmware update service or an update from the metering point operator's backend via CLS communication is used.

Dr. Christian von Toll, Chief Sales Officer of Weidmüller, reports: “In light of rising energy consumption, the intelligent control of consumers in buildings is of paramount importance. With the ERC, we can securely connect existing properties and systems to the smart grid in accordance with current cybersecurity requirements. This allows us to drive digitalization forward while simultaneously creating the necessary infrastructure for the energy transition. Furthermore, with PPC, we have gained a strong partner who shares Weidmüller's pioneering spirit.”

“With the ERC, we are pleased to offer the German market a highly efficient digital control of relay systems for the SMGWplus. Metering point operators remain within their existing process environment and can build upon established methods and the rollout of the iMSys – while still addressing the numerous new and existing installations. This provides further flexibility for the ongoing smart meter rollout and the smart grid in the short term,” confirms Ingo Schönberg, CEO of PPC. "With Weidmüller, we have gained a development and production partner who also considers the efficiency potential of this control solution to be very high."